If you're visiting Penang for the first time and not familiar with the area; also not sure about how to rent an apartment/house in Penang. Here's some information that you can use as a reference.
The characteristics of each location
Gurney Drive
hotspot in Penang with shopping mall, eateries, restaurants, cineplex, etc.
Tanjung Tokong
if you try to avoid heavy traffic in the city, but don't want to be far away from amenities, Tanjung Tokong would be ideal.
Tanjung Bungah
peaceful/quiet neighbourhood with greenery along hillside. The beach is nearby and the city is just a short distance away.
Batu Ferringhi
tourist hotspot, relaxing, accessible to the beach managed by the hotelier.
The distance between one another
Gurney Drive to Tanjung Tokong - approx 5 to 10 mins
Tanjung Tokong to Tanjung Bungah - approx 10 to 15 mins
Tanjung Bungah to Batu Ferringhi - approx 10 to 15 mins
Popular condo
Below are some of the popular choices of condo among expat tenant:
Tanjung Tokong
Quayside (2013) - rental from RM3,000 onward
Tamarind (2019) - rental from RM3,000 onward
I-Santorini (2016) - rental from RM2,000 onward
Tanjung Bungah
Mira Residence (2016) - rental from RM3,500 onward
Surin (2012) - rental from RM1,800 onward
Alila 2 (2020) - rental from RM4,500 onward
Batu Ferringhi
10 Island Resort (2010) - rental from RM2,000 onward
Bayu Ferringhi (2012) - rental from RM3,500 onward
Iconic Vue (2019) - rental from RM1,500 onward
Ferringhi Residence (2016) - rental from RM2,300 onward
Ferringhi Residence 2 (2020) - rental from RM2,500 onward
The Marin (2018) - rental from RM3,500 onward
Beachfront property
Most of the beachfront property are located along Tanjung Bungah, and they are generally huge in size ranging between 3,000sq ft up to 6,000sq ft; with 3 bedrooms and up to 5 bedrooms.
Below are some of the popular beachfront condo in Tanjung Bungah:
The Cove (2007) - rental from RM8,000 onward
1 Tanjong (2013) - rental from RM7,500 onward
Infinity (2010) - rental from RM7,500 onward
Condition of property
Most of the rental properties will have a built-in kitchen cabinet regardless if it's unfurnished, semi or fully furnished.
Below are the definition of each condition:
Unfurnished
only with fixtures like built-in cabinet, lightings & fans, AC; without any loose furniture or electrical appliances.
Semi furnished
with fixtures and some electrical appliances.
Fully furnished
it's a move-in condition furnished with sofa & bed, refrigerator, washing machine, TV, dining table & chairs being the standard setting.
Additional items/appliances
Items like microwave oven, dish washer/dryer, WIFI/internet or cable/satellite TV would be considered as a bonus to the property, where most rental property won’t include such item usually.
Also, items like bedliner, cutlery/kitchen utensil are usually not provided due to hygiene concerns.
Nevertheless, tenant can always request to add-on or to remove any of the furniture/item depending on the individual owner during negotiation prior deal is concluded.
Condo facility
Most condo are gated guarded with condo facility such as swimming pool & gym.
Tenant with pet
Most of the apartment/condo is not pet friendly. Even if some condo/apartment allows resident to have pet in the apartment, the resident has to remove their pet if there’s complaint by neighbor. Hence, house would be ideal for tenant with pet.
Process of renting a property in Penang
Firstly, in order to secure a rental unit, you need to place a 1 month deposit to the owner; and the remaining amount is payable to the owner on the day of move-in. Once the initial deposit is placed, the tenancy agrement will be then sent to both owner and tenant for review prior signing on or before the move-in date.
See below for the usual upfront payment to the owner:
1 to 2 month security deposit depending on individual owner as well as duration of lease
1 month advance rental
Half month utility deposit
Sewage bill advance payment
Hence, the total upfront payment to the owner should be equivalent to about 2.5 to 3.5 months rental being the standard practice in Penang.
Aside from payment to the owner, you have to pay an agent fee that's equivalent to 1 month rental based on 1 to 2 year contract; also a tenancy agreement processing fee and the stamping charges depending on the rental rate.